Berrima, town in New South Wales, Australia
Berrima is a small town in southern New South Wales, Australia, founded in 1831 and retaining the character of that early colonial era. The town features sandstone buildings, tree-lined streets, and historic sites including a courthouse built in 1838 and an adjacent jail from the 1830s.
The town was founded in 1831 and quickly became a center for farming and trade in the region. When a new railway line bypassed it in 1867, the town's growth halted abruptly, which inadvertently preserved its colonial structures for nearly two centuries.
Berrima takes its name from a Dharawal word meaning 'to the south', reflecting the area's Indigenous heritage. The town maintains this connection through its preserved streets and buildings, where visitors can sense the long relationship between the land and its people.
The town is best explored on foot, with quiet streets and marked paths along the Wingecarribee River for longer walks. Visitors will find cafes, restaurants, and small shops scattered along the main street, with most walks around town taking about an hour, and weather in the southern highlands can be changeable so layered clothing is advisable.
The courthouse built in 1838 was the site of Australia's first jury trial in 1841, shaping the nation's legal history. This historical significance is often overlooked by visitors, yet it makes Berrima a turning point in Australia's judicial system.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
